To pre-sell or not to pre-sell

For a long time now it has been a tradition at Chapman Gallery to not pre-sell works in the forthcoming exhibition. All clients instead had the opportunity to arrive on opening night, armed with a red sticker, in the knowledge they could secure a great work just by being first there. The one exception to the rule was that institutions such as the NGA or AGNSW could have the option to reserve a work before the opening. The (art)world has moved on since those ‘heady days' and we now live in a global marketplace. Clients now armed with an iphone instead can browse and purchase their latest acquisition in a few minutes from a gallery anywhere on the planet. Over the past little while, I have noticed an increasing amount of willing buyers lured elsewhere because they could secure a work by a particular artist today, instead of next week at a Chapman opening. In short, I have now relented and am offering works for sale before openings - the relief on most clients faces knowing they could purchase a work immediately rather than trying to sneak away quietly from work on Friday has been palpable!

Of course opening night is always a special event at Chapman Gallery and great works can still be found on the walls sans red dots! I hope to see you on Friday March 11 for the opening of Tjungu Palya Masterpieces at 1730. This exhibition is not to be missed.